United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres commended Ethiopia's positive role in the maintenance of peace and security in the Horn of Africa region; also hailed the country's exemplary role in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries. The Secretary-General who met with Prime Minister Hailemariam today (January 29, 2017) in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 28th African Union Summit said the fact that Ethiopia is a peaceful and stable nation offers hope for the efforts of promoting peace and security in the region. Gutteres underlined that Ethiopia's efforts in maintaining peace and stability, particularly in South Sudan, Somalia, the IGAD region as well as in the African continent has been significantly useful. The Secretary-General also hailed Ethiopia for upholding an open-door policy for refugees, whom he said are here because the peace and stability in Ethiopia has been the source of their guarantee. Prime Minister Hailemariam expressed his hope that the UN would continue to support Ethiopia's efforts of in the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region and beyond. Secretary-General Gutteres on his part reassured the Premier that the UN remains committed to extend support in such score.